Acupuncture in the management of post-partum headache following neuraxial analgesia

Perioperative acupuncture modulation: more than anaesthesia

“…The combination of stimulating BL2, BL10, BL60, BL62, GB20, LI4, LR3, SI3 and auricular acupoints helped the patients return to normal daily activities and shortened the duration of hospitalization. These results support two previous case studies 54 55 and indicate that acupuncture is an effective method for treating post-puncture headache. Another troublesome complication, persistent postoperative hiccup, could also be alleviated by acupuncture, 56 and this effect was confirmed by Lin and colleagues in a heart and lung transplant recipient.…”

Post-dural puncture headache: The worst common complication in obstetric anesthesia

“…Investigation into acupuncture for the treatment of PDPH has showed moderate success (limiting the duration of headache) although the evidence is limited. 64 Several authors have suggested its use prior to EBP for mild to moderate PDPH because of its less invasive nature or in patients who refuse EBP. 65,66 Prophylactic blood patch vs. intrathecal catheter…”

Acupuncture for the Management of Postdural Puncture Headache: A Case Report

“…9 Prior case reports of acupuncture for PDPH do not discuss patients' TCM diagnoses, but there is overlap between our case study and others in regards to the specific acupuncture points used. 6 As far as we know, there is no standard protocol for acupuncture point selection in PDPH. Point selection may be challenging to standardize given the nature of the TCM approach, where treatment plans are individualized according to a holistic assessment of the patient.…”

“…Previous case reports suggest successful use of acupuncture for women who developed PDPH either after receiving spinal blocks for foot surgery or epidural anesthesia for labor. 5,6 In this case report, we present the use of acupuncture in the management of PDPH in a male patient who declined conventional treatment.…”